U.S. patent application number 13/015663 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for combined fire extinguishing system.
Invention is credited to Adam Chattaway, Robert G. Dunster.
Application Number | 20120145416 13/015663 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43566979 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120145416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chattaway; Adam ; et
al. |
June 14, 2012 |
COMBINED FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM
Abstract
A fire suppression system includes a divert valve downstream of
a fire suppressant source. The divert valve is selectively movable
between an initial first position which communicates extinguishing
agent into a first distribution network and a second position which
communicates extinguishing agent into a second distribution
network.
Inventors: |
Chattaway; Adam; (US)
; Dunster; Robert G.; (Slough, GB) |
Family ID: |
43566979 |
Appl. No.: |
13/015663 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
169/43 ; 169/62;
169/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62C 3/07 20130101; A62C
35/68 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
169/43 ; 169/62;
169/70 |
International
Class: |
A62C 3/07 20060101
A62C003/07; A62C 37/00 20060101 A62C037/00; A62C 31/00 20060101
A62C031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2010 |
GB |
1020955.9 |
Claims
1. A fire suppression system comprising: a fire suppressant source;
a divert valve downstream of said fire suppressant source, said
divert valve selectively movable between a first position and a
second position, said divert valve initially positioned in said
first position; a first distribution network in communication with
said divert valve, said first position orients said divert valve so
that said fire suppressant source is in communication with said
first distribution network; and a second distribution network in
communication with said divert valve, said second position orients
said divert valve so that said fire suppressant source is in
communication with said second distribution network.
2. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein said
first passage provides a mass flow greater than said second
passage.
3. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein said
first passage intersects with said second passage.
4. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein said
divert valve is a rotary valve rotatable between said first
position and said second position.
5. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, further
comprising an actuator valve, said divert valve is downstream of an
actuator valve.
6. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 5, wherein said
actuator valve selectively releases an extinguishing agent from
said fire suppressant source into said divert valve.
7. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 6, further
comprising a control system operable to position said divert valve
and actuate said actuator valve to selectively releases said
extinguishing agent from said fire suppressant source into said
divert valve.
8. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 7, wherein said
control system is operable to position said divert valve prior to
actuation of said actuator valve.
9. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein said
first distribution network is in communication with a high hazard
area.
10. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 9, wherein said
second distribution network is in communication with a lower hazard
area.
11. A method of actuating a fire suppression system comprising:
orienting a divert valve between a first position and a second
position, the divert valve initially positioned at the first
position; and releasing an extinguishing agent from a fire
suppressant source into the divert valve to communicate the
extinguishing agent into a first vehicle zone associated with the
first position or a second vehicle zone associated with the second
position.
12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein orienting the divert
valve includes rotating the divert valve.
13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein releasing the
extinguishing agent includes releasing the extinguishing agent
through an actuator valve upstream of the divert valve.
14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein releasing the
extinguishing agent into the first vehicle zone does not require
repositioning of the divert valve.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the first vehicle
zone is a crew compartment.
16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein releasing the
extinguishing agent into the second vehicle zone requires
repositioning of the divert valve prior to releasing an
extinguishing agent from the fire suppressant source.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the second vehicle
zone is an engine compartment.
18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the first position
includes a first passage larger than a second passage associated
with the second position.
19. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising
controlling the divert valve and releasing of the extinguishing
agent with a control module in response to a sensor system.
20. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising
controlling the divert valve and releasing of the extinguishing
agent in response to a manual selection received from a user
interface.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of United Kingdom Patent
Application No. 1020955.9, filed Dec. 9, 2010.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a fire suppression system
and more particularly to a divert valve therefor.
[0003] With the changing roles of military vehicles, the
distinction between fighting vehicles and tactical vehicles is now
blurred or non-existent. Tactical vehicles are now being up-armored
and fitted with fire protection systems. As tactical vehicles are
relatively smaller and lighter vehicles, relatively smaller and
lighter fire protection systems are desired.
SUMMARY
[0004] A fire suppression system according to an exemplary aspect
of the present disclosure includes a divert valve downstream of a
fire suppressant source. The divert valve is selectively movable
between a first position and a second position, the divert valve
initially positioned in the first position. A first distribution
network is in communication with the divert valve, the first
position orienting the divert valve so that the fire suppressant
source is in communication with the first distribution network. A
second distribution network in communication with the divert valve,
the second position orienting the divert valve so that the fire
suppressant source is in communication with the second distribution
network.
[0005] A method of actuating a fire suppression system according to
an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes orienting a
divert valve to either of a first position or a second position and
releasing an extinguishing agent from a fire suppressant source
into the divert valve to communicate the extinguishing agent into a
first vehicle zone associated with the first position or a second
vehicle zone associated with the second position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Various features will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed
non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle with a fire
suppression system according to one non-limiting embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary fire suppression
system;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the fire suppression system in
a first position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the fire suppression system in
a second position; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the fire
suppression system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of an
example fire suppression system 10 that may be used to control a
fire threat. The fire suppression system 10 may be utilized within
a ground vehicle 12 such as a tactical wheeled vehicle; however, it
is to be understood that the exemplary fire suppression system 10
may alternatively be utilized in other land, sea and air
vehicles.
[0013] The fire suppression system 10 is implemented within the
vehicle 12 to control any fire threats that may occur in vehicle
zones 12A and 12B. For instance, zone 12A may be a high hazard area
such as a crew compartment and zone 12B may be a relatively lower
hazard area such as an engine compartment. The high hazard area
requires rapid extinguishment to protect the crew while the
relatively lower hazard area requires a relatively slower
extinguishment time. It should be understood that other zones such
as cargo bays, wheel wells, electronics bays, ammunition storage
and others where fire suppression is desired and may be considered
to be different hazard levels may additionally be so
segregated.
[0014] With reference to FIG. 2, the fire suppression system 10
generally includes a fire suppressant source 14, a distributor
valve 16, a distribution system 18 and a control system 20. The
fire suppressant source 14 in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment
is a pressurized bottle 14B that contains an extinguishing agent
appropriate for use in, for example only, both an engine
compartment and a crew compartment.
[0015] For relatively smaller vehicles, a single bottle fire
suppressant source 14 can protect either of vehicle zones 12A and
12B which saves space, weight and simplifies logistics. In one
non-limiting embodiment, the fire suppressant source 14 is located
in the crew compartment 12A, with the extinguishing agent
selectively diverted into the engine compartment 12B through the
distribution system 18. The extinguishing agent concentration is
calculated for the primary vehicle zone 12A as these limits cannot
be exceeded due to the potential detrimental to crew survivability.
Usually the secondary vehicle zone 12B such as the engine
compartment is smaller but unoccupied so this would result in
higher, yet still safe, agent concentrations. However if more agent
is required then a second separate bottle fire suppressant source
14 may be required.
[0016] The divert valve 16 provides for selective communication of
the extinguishing agent from the fire suppressant source 14 into a
distribution network 18A, 18B (illustrated schematically) of the
distribution system 18 associated with the respective vehicle zones
12A, 12B in response to the control system 20. The control system
20 generally includes a module 22 and a sensor system 24. The
module 22 typically includes a processor 28, a memory 30, and an
interface 32. The processor 28 may be any type of microprocessor
having desired performance characteristics. The memory 30 may
include any type of computer readable medium which stores the data
and control algorithms described herein. The interface 32 may
include any system that facilitates communication with the sensor
system 24 as well as other systems. The sensor system 24 may
include, for example, infrared optical sensors strategically placed
throughout the vehicle which sense and identify open flames and
hydrocarbon signatures from non-threatening sources.
[0017] The divert valve 16 generally includes a housing 34 and a
valve 36 such as a rotary valve with a first passage 38 and a
second passage 40. It should be understood that various valves
other than a rotary valve, such as, for example only, a linear
slide/shuttle valve, may alternatively be utilized. In one
non-limiting embodiment, the first passage 38 passes through the
rotary valve 36 and the second passage 40 intersects with the first
passage 38. It should be understood that various passage
arrangements may alternatively or additionally be provided.
[0018] The valve 36 is movable between a first position (FIG. 3)
and a second position (FIG. 4). The first position is a preset
initial position which orients the first passage 38 into
communication with the fire suppressant source 14 to distribute the
extinguishing agent into the distribution network 18A and into
vehicle zone 12A. That is, the valve 36 is normally positioned for
communication with the crew compartment zone 12A to provide for
fast detection and essentially immediate distribution of the
extinguishing agent from the fire suppressant source 14. The second
position orients the second passage 40 in communication with the
fire suppressant source 14 to distribute the extinguishing agent
from the second passage 40 into the first passage 38 then into the
distribution network 18B and vehicle zone 12B.
[0019] The first passage 38 and the second passage 40 may be sized
in relation to the vehicle zone 12A, 12B. That is, since the first
passage 40 communicates with the vehicle zone 12A which is usually
the relatively larger crew compartment and requires more immediate
action, the first passage 40 is relatively larger to provide a
greater mass flow of extinguishing agent than the second passage
40. It should be understood that the respective sizes of the first
passage 38 and the second passage 40 provide a desired mass flow
over a desired time period in relation to the vehicle zone 12A,
12B. For example, a relatively significant amount of extinguishing
agent may be communicated to the crew compartment over a relatively
short time period as compared to the engine compartment which may
require a relatively smaller mass flow of extinguishing agent over
a relatively longer time period.
[0020] The divert valve 16 is mounted immediately downstream of an
actuator valve 14V of the fire suppressant source 14 which
selectively releases the extinguishing agent into the divert valve
16. The actuator valve 14V is a main valve such as a flapper,
cartridge, or solenoid actuated valve mounted to the fire
suppressant source 14 or integrated therewith to release the
extinguishing agent. That is, the actuator valve 14V is mounted to
the divert valve 16 and is operable to release the agent from the
fire suppressant source 14 in, for example, a one-shot arrangement
while the divert valve 16 controls which of the respective
distribution networks 18A, 18B receives the extinguishing agent so
as to efficiently utilize the extinguishing agent. It should be
understood that two or more fire suppressant sources 14 may be
fitted to a single actuator valve 14V to provide a two or more shot
(crew), two or more shot (engine) or one shot (crew) and one shot
(engine) arrangement through the divert valve 16.
[0021] The module 22 executes an algorithm 26 to control which
vehicle zone 12A, 12B receives the extinguishing agent from the
fire suppressant source 14 in response to the sensor system 24. The
functions of the algorithm 26 are disclosed in terms of functional
block diagrams in FIG. 5, and it should be understood by those
skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that these
functions may be enacted in either dedicated hardware circuitry or
programmed software routines capable of execution in a
microprocessor based electronics control embodiment. When
implemented as programmed software routines, the functions of
algorithm 26 may be tangibly embodied in memory 30 for execution by
processor 28.
[0022] In operation, the sensor system 24 detects a fire threat
within the vehicle zone 12A, 12B then the module 22 orients the
divert valve 16 to the appropriate position if need be. That is, as
the divert valve 16 is normally positioned or preset for
communication of the extinguishing agent to the crew compartment
vehicle zone 12A, if the sensor system 24 detects a fire threat
within the vehicle zone 12A, activation is immediate as the module
need only open the actuator valve 14V to selectively release the
extinguishing agent through the divert valve 16 and the
distribution network 18A into the associated vehicle zone 12A. Only
if the fire threat is detected as within zone 12B, need the module
22 first reorient the divert valve 16 to the zone 12B position then
open the actuator valve 14V of the fire suppressant source 14 to
release the extinguishing agent into the divert valve 16 to divert
the extinguishing agent into the distribution network 18B and the
associated vehicle zone 12B.
[0023] Alternately, a user may manually select the vehicle zone
12A, 12B into which the extinguishing agent is to be released on a
user interface 42 and the module 22 responds accordingly. That is,
the module 22 reorients the divert valve 16 to the appropriate
position if need be then opens the actuator valve 14V of the fire
suppressant source 14 to release the extinguishing agent into the
divert valve 16 which diverts the extinguishing agent into the
appropriate distribution network 18A, 18B and the selected vehicle
zone 12A, 12B.
[0024] It should be understood that the fire suppression system 10
may be combined with other dedicated crew or engine compartment
fire suppressant systems as well as multi-shot fire suppressant
sources. Such alternative arrangements facilitate specific
application to different relative volumes of the vehicle zones 12A,
12B. A fast, automatic system that discharges in, for example, less
than 250 msec is provided for the higher priority zone and a
slightly slower response for lesser priority zone that may
discharge over several seconds with a minimum of components is
thereby provided.
[0025] It should be understood that like reference numerals
identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several
drawings. It should also be understood that although a particular
component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment,
other arrangements will benefit herefrom.
[0026] Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and
claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any
order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will
still benefit from the present disclosure.
[0027] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined
by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are
disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would
recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the
above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims.
It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the
appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as
specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should
be studied to determine true scope and content.
* * * * *